Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a highly heterogenous disease which can follow a unique disease course for individual patients.^[1]

As multiple myeloma progresses, remissions become progressively shorter and relapses become more common with each line of therapy.^[2][3] Treatments for multiple myeloma are more effective now than they have ever been, with a number of options available.^[4][5] Despite the progress, multiple myeloma remains incurable, and after multiple relapses, patients start to run out of options. New and effective therapies are needed to extend and improve their lives.^[2][3][6]

At Johnson & Johnson we are striving to change the trajectory of this disease and are uniquely positioned to provide multiple treatment options to patients, across all lines of therapy. We innovate with purpose to lead where medicine is going by applying cutting-edge technologies to reshape care – advancing the next wave of innovations and driving towards a cure.^[7]

Multiple myeloma in numbers

In Europe, more than 35,300 people were newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2022, and more than 22,700 patients died.^[8][9]

Multiple myeloma is the second most common form of blood cancer, and it is slightly more common in men than women.^[10][11]

Multiple myeloma is most common in people over 65 years.^[11]

Around 40 percent of new patients diagnosed with Stage 2 multiple myeloma do not reach five-year survival.^[12]

Our legacy in multiple myeloma

Building on nearly 20 years of dedicated leadership in multiple myeloma, our commitment to pioneer new therapeutic advances and continue redefining treatment paradigms has never been stronger.

Our legacy of delivering firsts is a testament to our ambition to get in front of cancer and we remain focused in areas of high unmet medical need such as multiple myeloma to transform care and deliver curative regimens.

Our goal: working towards a cure

Our leadership is founded in the past, but we are looking ahead to an even brighter future where multiple myeloma is redefined as curable.

We want to give people a chance to live longer, better lives free of their disease so they can focus on what’s important to them.

A multiple myeloma diagnosis is unique to each individual, which means we need more than just one option to face this complex disease. One simple breakthrough treatment isn’t enough when every patient is unique. That’s why we’re pursuing a portfolio of immunotherapies that target the disease from every angle, and at every stage. Curing multiple myeloma is our mission; we are prepared, and we are leading the way.

Edmond Chan, MBChB, M.D. (Res)

EMEA THERAPEUTIC AREA LEAD HAEMATOLOGY

Our approach to shifting the treatment paradigm

We are intentional about expanding our portfolio, pursuing first- and complementary immunotherapies that attack multiple myeloma in different ways and can be used alone or in combination regimens throughout the course of the disease. Often, more than one treatment option can be combined to improve outcomes.^[4][5]

With our commitment and expertise, we are confident in our ability to continue to deliver tailored treatment options for all patients with multiple myeloma, and ultimately we hope to enable physicians to treat to cure.

Female wheelchair athlete having sport activity outdoors with her boyfriend

Our dedication to improving patient outcomes and experiences

Our innovation flows from listening and learning with compassion to understand the needs of patients, caregivers, researchers, advocates and healthcare professionals who motivate us to define a new way forward. We never lose sight of the people we serve, or the possibilities science unlocks. Patients’ health experiences and needs inform and inspire everything we do, using rigorous science and insights to shape our breakthroughs and get in front of cancer.

In 2023, we partnered with an expert group of patient advocates, clinical leaders, researchers and policymakers, to establish the Multiple Myeloma Collaboration Council. The first output from this partnership was the Multiple Myeloma Call-to-Action which identified key areas of unmet need and suggested solutions on how to address them as we look to advance patient outcomes.^[13]

Visit the J&J withMe® Multiple Myeloma site here

J&J With Me is a compassionate sub-brand of Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine dedicated to providing valuable support and information to patients and their family and friends navigating through challenging health journeys. Our mission is to empower patients and their partners by offering relevant medical insights, resources, and a sense of community. Each country’s version of the website is customised to cater to local healthcare nuances.

Visit J&J withMe here

More from oncology at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine EMEA

References
[1] Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Understanding Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://themmrf.org/multiple-myeloma/ . Accessed March 2025.
[2] Bhatt P, Kloock C, Comenzo R. Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Review of Available Therapies and Clinical Scenarios Encountered in Myeloma Relapse. Curr Oncol. 2023;30(2):2322-2347.
[3] Hernández-Rivas JÁ, et al. The changing landscape of relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (MM): fundamentals and controversies. Biomark Res. 2022;10(1):1-23. Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Understanding Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://themmrf.org/multiple-myeloma/ . Accessed: February 2025.
[4] Myeloma UK. Myeloma: an introduction. Available at: https://www.myeloma.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Myeloma-UK-Myeloma-an-Introduction.pdf . Accessed: February 2025.
[5] Myeloma Patients Europe. Multiple Myeloma – A Patients’ Guide. Available at: https://www.mpeurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Patients-guide-mpe-web-version-V2.pdf . Accessed: February 2025.
[6] Podar K, Leleu X. Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma in 2020/2021 and Beyond. Cancers (Basel). 2021;13(20):5154.
[7] Nature. Janssen Oncology—leading the way in transformational innovation. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/d43747-022-00205-3 . Accessed: February 2025.
[8] ECIS - European Cancer Information System. Estimates of cancer incidence in 2022, by country. Multiple myeloma. Available at: https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/explorer.php?$0-0$1-All$4-1,2$3-51$6-0,85$5-2022,2022$7-7$2-All$CEstByCountry$X0_8-3$X0_19-AE27$X0_20-No$CEstBySexByCountry$X1_8-3$X1_19-AE27$X1_-1-1$CEstByIndiByCountry$X2_8-3$X2_19-AE27$X2_20-No$CEstRelative$X3_8-3$X3_9-AE27$X3_19-AE27$CEstByCountryTable$X4_19-AE27 . Accessed: February 2025.
[9] ECIS - European Cancer Information System. Estimates of cancer mortality in 2022, by country. Multiple myeloma. Available at: https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/explorer.php?$0-0$1-All$2-All$4-1,2$3-51$6-0,85$5-2022,2022$7-8$CEstByCountry$X0_8-3$X0_19-AE27$X0_20-No$CEstBySexByCountry$X1_8-3$X1_19-AE27$X1_-1-1$CEstByIndiByCountry$X2_8-3$X2_19-AE27$X2_20-No$CEstRelative$X3_8-3$X3_9-AE27$X3_19-AE27$CEstByCountryTable$X4_19-AE27 . Accessed: February 2025.
[10] Gavriatopoulou M, et al. Metabolic Disorders in Multiple Myeloma. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(21):11430.
[11] American Cancer Society. Multiple myeloma: causes, risk factors, and prevention. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8739.00.pdf . Accessed: February 2025.
[12] Cancer Research UK. Survival for myeloma. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/myeloma/survival . Accessed: February 2025.
[13] The Multiple Myeloma Call-To-Action. Available at: https://www.mmcalltoaction.com/pdf/MMDifference.pdf . Accessed: February 2025.

CP-506094
March 2025